Is Incontinence During Pregnancy Normal?

Your body changes rapidly and sometimes inexplicably during pregnancy. One change you may notice and wonder about is incontinence (involuntary urine leakage). Rest assured that incontinence during pregnancy is extremely common. Around 50-70% of pregnant women experience incontinence, especially during the third trimester. 

Changes in your hormones, positioning of the baby, and other physiological changes contribute to incidences of incontinence. The OB/GYN team at Women’s Care of Beverly Hills in South Bay, Redondo Beach, and Beverly Hills, is here to assist you in all stages of your pregnancy. We want to help you manage incontinence symptoms so you feel as comfortable as possible.

Here’s what our expert OB/GYNs want you to know about incontinence during pregnancy. 

Incontinence and pregnancy

Urinary incontinence can affect women at any stage of life, but it’s particularly common during pregnancy. Here’s why it happens:

Hormonal changes

Pregnancy hormones, especially relaxin and progesterone, are critical to preparing your body for childbirth. These hormones cause the pelvic muscles to relax, so you can more easily deliver your baby. But, the hormones can also relax urinary muscles, leading to decreased bladder control.

Increased pressure on the bladder

As your baby grows, the uterus expands and puts pressure on the bladder, so it can’t hold as much urine. The pressure can also reduce your control of the release of urine. This is why urinary incontinence can be so prevalent in the third trimester when your baby is heaviest and puts the most pressure on your bladder.

Changes in the urinary tract

Pregnancy can cause changes in the urinary tract that may make you more vulnerable to developing urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs can lead to incontinence.

Types of incontinence

There are two primary types of incontinence that you may experience during pregnancy: stress incontinence and urge incontinence. 

Stress incontinence is the most common type and occurs when physical activity or sudden movements, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising, put pressure on the bladder. 

Urge incontinence involves a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by involuntary leakage. It can occur even if the bladder isn't full.

How to manage incontinence during pregnancy

Incontinence can be an uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing issue. We offer several strategies to help you manage it effectively:

Pelvic floor exercises

Also known as Kegel exercises, these strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and can improve bladder control. To perform Kegels, contract the muscles you would use to stop urinating, hold for a few seconds, and then release. Repeat several times a day.

Bladder training

Try to urinate on a schedule, gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits to train your bladder to hold more urine.

Stay hydrated

It may seem counterintuitive, but drinking enough water helps with incontinence. Dehydration can irritate the bladder and worsen incontinence. Aim to drink lots of water, fluids, and fluid-rich foods like fruit, vegetables, and soups.

Avoid bladder irritants 

Limit your intake of caffeine and acidic or spicy foods, which can irritate the bladder and increase the urge to urinate.

Wear protective pads

Absorbent pads can provide a sense of security and prevent leaks from becoming noticeable.

While mild incontinence is common during pregnancy, talk to us if you experience severe or persistent symptoms. This is particularly true if you have pain, burning, or blood in your urine, as these can be signs of a UTI or other medical conditions requiring attention.

At Women’s Care of Beverly Hills, we’re dedicated to supporting you during your pregnancy. If you’d like to set up an appointment or discuss specific issues, call or use the online tool to book an appointment today.